Guardian Environment Network + Oil spills | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/series/guardian-environment-network+oil-spills
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Europe rejects ban on Arctic oil drillinghttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/10/europe-rejects-ban-arctic-oil-drilling
Moratorium on offshore drilling in the Arctic rejected by European parliament vote amid intense lobbying by oil industry<p>The European parliament's industry committee has rejected attempts to introduce a moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling in the Arctic, overruling a contrary vote by its environment committee last month.</p><p>The key vote in the industry committee yesterday (9 October) instead proposed a new directive to ensure that companies have &quot;adequate financial security&quot; to cover the liabilities that could be incurred by any accidents.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/10/europe-rejects-ban-arctic-oil-drilling">Continue reading...</a>Polar regionsArcticWorld newsOilEnvironmentEuropeConservationOil spillsWed, 10 Oct 2012 08:21:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/10/europe-rejects-ban-arctic-oil-drillingGreenpeace/Public DomainGreenpeace activists prepare to occupy Gazprom Arctic oil platform. The EU has rejected a moratorium on drilling in the Arctic. Photograph: GreenpeaceGreenpeace/Public DomainGreenpeace activists prepare to occupy Gazprom Arctic oil platform. Photograph: GreenpeaceArthur Neslen for <a href="http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-environment">EurActiv</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network" title="Guardian Environment Network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2012-10-10T08:21:00ZHow an ecocide law could prevent another Nigerian oil disasterhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/22/ecocide-law-nigerian-oil-disaster
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/aug/03/shell-liability-oil-spills-nigeria">Shell's admission of liability for oil spills in Nigeria</a> highlights the need for an 'ecocide' law to make human-made environmental catastrophes illegal<p>After years of struggle, Shell is finally being held legally accountable for the damage it has caused in the Niger delta where it is estimated up to <a href="http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/niger-delta-oil-spills-clean-up-will-take-30-years-says-un/">10 million gallons</a> of oil has been leaked.</p><p>A class action lawsuit originating in London forced the Dutch oil giant to <a href="http://environmentalheadlines.com/ct/2011/08/03/shell-accepts-liability-for-two-oil-spills-in-nigeria/">accept full responsibility</a> for the 2008 ruptures of the Bodo-Bonny trans-Niger pipeline. Together the Ivorian community and a London law firm have forced the energy company to take responsibility for its actions.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/22/ecocide-law-nigerian-oil-disaster">Continue reading...</a>Oil spillsEnvironmentLawCorporate social responsibilityPollutionOilMon, 22 Aug 2011 14:40:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/aug/22/ecocide-law-nigerian-oil-disasterSunday Alamba/APThe pollution of Nigeria's oil-rich delta could have been deterred by a law on 'ecocide', argues Robert Holtum. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/APSunday Alamba/APA region of Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta is suffering widespread ecological damage as spilled oil seeps into its drinking water, destroys plants and remains in the ground for decades, a UN report released Thursday 4 August reveals. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/APRobert Holtum for <a href="http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/">OurWorld 2.0</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/series/guardian-environment-network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2011-08-22T14:40:39ZThe aftermath of the Yellowstone river oil spillhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jul/20/aftermath-yellowstone-river-oil-spill
A fortnight after ExxonMobil's Yellowstone river oil pipeline spill, Kate Sheppard talks to local people about the lasting impact<p>I'm standing in a field next to Montana's Yellowstone River, a gentle breeze swaying the pasture grass and tempering the 85-degree heat. White fluffs from a cottonwood tree drift slowly across the sky like cartoonish snowflakes. It would be an idyllic scene, if it weren't for the strong smell of crude oil and the guys in hazmat suits patrolling the farm next door.</p><p>It's two weeks to the day after ExxonMobil's Silvertip pipeline ruptured under the Yellowstone, spilling an estimated 42,000 gallons of oil into the raging waters in <a href="http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/07/yellowstone-oil-spill-montana">Laurel, Montana</a>. When the spill started late in the evening of July 1, the river had overflowed its banks, pushing water out into the surrounding fields. This meant that the oil, too, flowed in, and when the floods receded they left a ring of black crude around this particular field, and the thick gunk still clung to the blades of grass. Most of the damage was within 50 miles of the site of the break, though oil has been reported as far as <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/oil-spill-montana-idUSN1E76908O20110711">240 miles away</a>.&nbsp;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jul/20/aftermath-yellowstone-river-oil-spill">Continue reading...</a>Oil spillsEnvironmentExxon MobilBusinessEnergyOilWed, 20 Jul 2011 10:54:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jul/20/aftermath-yellowstone-river-oil-spillJim Urquhart/APExxonMobil clean-up crews work to collect oil from along side the Yellowstone river in Montana. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/APJim Urquhart/APExxonMobil cleanup crews work to collect oil from along side the Yellowstone river in Montana. Flooding is preventing them reaching the break in the pipeline. Photograph: Jim Urquhart/APKate Sheppard for <a href="http://motherjones.com">Mother Jones</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network" title="Guardian Environment Network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2011-07-20T10:54:00ZUS drops oil drilling moratoriumhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/oct/13/us-drops-oil-drilling-moratorium
<a href="http://motherjones.com">Mother Jones</a>: The Obama administration has ended its temporary six-month ban on new deepwater drilling, six weeks earlier than planned<p>The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is ending the temporary, six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling operations. The announcement means that new drilling could take place in the Gulf &quot;very soon,&quot; said Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, though rigs will need to undergo new inspection and permitting procedures before companies can start drilling.</p><p>The moratorium was supposed to remain in place until Nov. 30, but as of today it is off. &quot;The policy position we are articulating today is that we are open for business,&quot; said Salazar in a call with reporters. The agency will be taking applications for new permits and processing them according to new regulations and guidance issued in the six months since the Deepwater Horizon spill. Salazar said he expects to see deepwater drilling resume &quot;very soon—I can't tell you how soon, but soon.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/oct/13/us-drops-oil-drilling-moratorium">Continue reading...</a>BP oil spillOil spillsOilEnvironmentEnergyWed, 13 Oct 2010 10:37:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/oct/13/us-drops-oil-drilling-moratoriumGerald Herbert/APThe Deepwater Horizon rig burning in April - the disaster led to a temporary ban on deepwater drilling operations which has now been lifted by the Obama administration. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/APGerald Herbert/APThe Deepwater Horizon rig burning last week. There are now 1,000 people involved in efforts to stop oil leaking from the rig. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/APKate Sheppard for <a href="http://motherjones.com">Mother Jones</a>2010-10-13T10:37:17ZMap: Oil spill permeates the Gulf's most productive environmentshttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/picture/2010/jul/08/bp-oil-spill-oil-spills
According to WRI estimates, the potential damage to marine ecosystem services as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could be up to $875 million for marine ecosystems and up to $60 billion for coastal ecosystems. This map shows the ecosystems most at risk – coastal marshes and wetlands, plus productive ocean areas near-shore <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/picture/2010/jul/08/bp-oil-spill-oil-spills">Continue reading...</a>BP oil spillEnvironmentOil spillsWildlifeMarine lifeThu, 08 Jul 2010 10:50:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/picture/2010/jul/08/bp-oil-spill-oil-spillsDave Martin/APDelicate patterns in the sea breaking on Orange Beach, Alabama, more than 90 miles from the BP oil spill, cannot distract from the mess four to six inches deep on parts of the shoreSusan Minnemeyer and Andrew Leach for <a href="http://www.wri.org/">WRI</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2010-07-08T10:50:17ZBP spill gives Obama an opportunity to reform oilhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/15/bp-spill-obama-reform-oil
The BP oil spill gives Obama a chance in his Oval Office speech tonight to reform oil use, says Daniel J. Weiss<p>President Barack Obama has made four trips to visit gulf state <br />communities affected by the BP disaster and now plans to give his <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38463.html">first-ever Oval Office speech</a> to the nation this Tuesday evening to address the issue. </p><p>This manmade calamity threatens the nation's economy, health, and environment. This is also a crucial moment in the BP catastrophe, which threatens to swamp his domestic agenda. But it also provides an opportunity for President Obama to demonstrate leadership by tackling all the aspects of this crisis, including taking charge of the clean up, getting more help from BP, providing long-term public health and economic recovery, and adopting an oil-use and pollution-reduction reform agenda to minimize the likelihood of another catastrophe.</p><p></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/15/bp-spill-obama-reform-oil">Continue reading...</a>BP oil spillOil spillsBarack ObamaEnergyOilOilBusinessEnvironmentTue, 15 Jun 2010 09:07:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/15/bp-spill-obama-reform-oilCharles Dharapak/APPresident Barack Obama and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley visit a volunteer training facility as they tour the Theodore Staging Facility in Theodore, during a visit to the Gulf Coast region, June 14, 2010. Photograph: Charles Dharapak/APReutersUS president Barack Obama sought to reassure Americans that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be stopped Photograph: ReutersDaniel J. Weiss for <a href="http://grist.org/">Grist</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2010-06-15T09:07:24ZDid Deepwater methane hydrates cause the BP Gulf explosion?http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/20/deepwater-methane-hydrates-bp-gulf
Strange and dangerous hydrocarbon offers no room for human error<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2010/may/19/deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-oil">In pictures: oil reaches the coast</a><p>The vast deepwater methane hydrate deposits of the Gulf of Mexico are an open secret in big energy circles. They represent the most tantalizing new frontier of unconventional energy — a potential source of hydrocarbon fuel thought to be twice as large as all the petroleum deposits ever known.</p><p>For the oil and gas industry, the substances are also known to be the primary hazard when drilling for deepwater oil.</p><p><br /> &quot;Gas hydrates are the number one flow assurance issue in deepwater drilling,&quot; Carolyn Koh, an associate professor and co-director of the Hydrate Center, told us in an exclusive interview.<br /> </p><p><br /> &quot;Industry practice is to avoid methane-bearing areas during drilling for conventional oil and gas resources for safety reasons.&quot;<br /> </p><p><br /> &quot;Forces from methane hydrate dissociation have been blamed for a damaging shift in a drilling rig's foundation, causing a loss of $100 million,&quot; the article <a href="http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v33_2_00/methane.htm">reports</a>. <br /> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/20/deepwater-methane-hydrates-bp-gulf">Continue reading...</a>BP oil spillEnvironmentOil spillsThu, 20 May 2010 10:34:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/20/deepwater-methane-hydrates-bp-gulfKPA/Zuma/Rex FeaturesThe deadly explosion caused 3 million gallons of crude oil to pour into the Gulf. Photograph: KPA/Zuma/Rex FeaturesKPA/Zuma/Rex FeaturesThe deadly explosion caused 3 million gallons of crude oil to pour into the Gulf. Photograph: KPA/Zuma/Rex FeaturesDavid Sassoon for <a href="http://solveclimate.com/">SolveClimate</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/series/guardian-environment-network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2010-05-20T10:34:49ZGulf oil spill threatens wildlife refuge created by Roosevelthttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/06/gulf-oil-spill-wildlife-refuge-roosevelt
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico threatens the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, created by Theodore Roosevelt to halt a grave threat to birds in his era — the lucrative trade in plumage. Now, oil is starting to wash up on beaches where he once walked<p>At the heart of the region now threatened by the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a chain of islands containing tens of thousands of seabirds. Thin ribbons of sand rising no higher than 19 feet out of the gulf, these islands — part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge — currently hold at least 2,000 nesting pairs of brown pelicans, 5,000 pairs of royal terns, 5,000 pairs of Caspian terns, and 5,000 pairs of various seagulls and shorebirds. Earlier this week, strong winds and barrier-like booms kept the oil slick from washing ashore on Breton Island, the Chandeleur Islands, and other links in the refuge. But the National Audubon Society reported May 5 that oil had reached the beaches of the Chandeleurs, putting the abundant birdlife there in peril.</p><p>More than a century ago, these islands held an even richer assemblage of bird species. Breton Island alone was home to 33 species of wintering waterfowl, wading birds, secretive marsh birds, and various shorebirds. When the birds were in full plumage, Breton Island was quite a sight.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/06/gulf-oil-spill-wildlife-refuge-roosevelt">Continue reading...</a>BP oil spillOil spillsEnvironmentThu, 06 May 2010 14:39:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/06/gulf-oil-spill-wildlife-refuge-rooseveltCarlos Barria/REUTERSA pelican flies near a Deepwater Horizon plant near Breton Island, Louisiana. Photograph: Carlos Barria/ReutersCarlos Barria/REUTERSA pelican flies near a Deepwater Horizon plant near Breton Island, Louisiana. Energy giant BP is under siege after the catastrophic oil spill from its Gulf of Mexico well. Its shares are falling as the US presses it to limit a major environmental disaster. Photograph: Carlos Barria/REUTERSDouglas Brinkley for <a href="http://www.e360.yale.edu" title="Yale Environment 360">Yale Environment 360</a>, part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network" title="Guardian Environment Network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2010-05-06T14:39:10ZCongressmen raised concerns about BP safety before Gulf oil spillhttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/05/congressman-bp-safety-oil-spill
Letter pointed out that three BP pipelines on Alaska's North Slope had ruptured or clogged, leading to a risk of explosions<p>In the months before BP's Deepwater Horizon rig sank in a ball of fire in the Gulf of Mexico, the company had four close calls on pipelines and facilities it operates in Alaska, according to <a href="http://www.propublica.org/documents/item/congressional-committee-letter-to-bp">a letter from two congressmen obtained by ProPublica</a>.</p><p>In that letter, dated Jan. 14, 2010, Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Bart Stupak, D-Mich., noted that the company's efforts to cut costs could imperil safety at BP facilities.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/05/congressman-bp-safety-oil-spill">Continue reading...</a>EnvironmentBP oil spillOil spillsWed, 05 May 2010 15:57:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/may/05/congressman-bp-safety-oil-spillDaniel Beltra/Greenpeace/EPAThe explosion and sinking of BP's Deepwater Horizon rig drew the world's attention once more to the oil industry's safeguards. Photograph: Daniel Beltra/ Greenpeace/EPADaniel Beltra/Greenpeace/EPAA handout picture released by Greenpeace on 05 May 2010 shows an aerial view of oil starting to reach the Chandeleur Islands, as the oil leaked from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead, slowly approaching the coast of Louisiana East of the mouth of the Mississippi river, USA. Photograph: Daniel Beltra/Greenpeace/EPABy Abrahm Lustgarten for <a href="http://www.propublica.org">ProPublica</a>, as a guest post for the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/network">Guardian Environment Network</a>2010-05-05T15:57:38Z